Who can it be, ye gods! but perjured Lycon?
E. Smith.
In this sense, but is often used with other particles; as, but for, without, had it not been for. "Uncreated but for love divine." Young.
3. Excepting or excluding the fact that; save that; were it not that; unless; -- elliptical, for but that.
And but my noble Moor is true of mind . . . it were enough to put him to ill thinking.
Shak.